ENTERTAINMENT
Choir proves “Excellent” in competition
May 2011
The Galleon

By LEE GINTON
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
In the deep waters of Spanish River lies a
hidden treasure, a class where belting out
lyrics from Broadway shows, such as Rent
and Hairspray, is in the daily agenda. Led by
Rita DiDominic, Spanish River’s choir is divided into three different classes: Choir I (for
beginner singers), Mixed Choir (for more
experienced singers) and Show Choir (for the
best singers at Spanish River). DiDominic, a
professional jazz singer, has been teaching at
Spanish River for 19 years and has taught the
choir for the past seven.
“I love teaching choir because I love music,”
DiDominic said. “I sang in choir when I was in
high school and was a frequent soloist.”
Many students at River see the choir as
nothing more than a Fine Arts credit, but
there is more than meets the eye, according to choir member senior Martha Cordoba.
Every year the choir performs at numerous

charity and community events in an effort to
spread smiles with their singing. Previous performances have included a concert for Narcotics Overdose Prevention Education in Boca
Raton’s Mizner Amphitheater and a concert
for cancer patients at the Villa Borghese Cancer Research Center. The choir also takes an
annual trip to the Disney Jazz Festival where
they perform and receive a rating based on their
performance. This year, the choir received an
“Excellent” rating.
The common theme in all of the choir’s performances is the use of the power of music to
bring joy to their audiences.
“I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces
when we perform,” junior Micaela White said.
“To see how our music can impact someone
makes me feel really good.”
DiDominic hopes to see a rise in the number of boys participating in the choir. Currently there is only one boy to every three girls. In
order for a successful balance of sounds, it is
crucial to have an equal gender ratio, too many
female singers will lead to songs sounding too

high pitched, according to sophomore member
Steven Jacobs.
“Definitely more boys are needed because
[the choir] is still a bit small,” Jacobs said.
“[Boys should] give it a try, truthfully. There is
nothing to lose and it’s a good class, so if you
love singing, why not go for it?”
Aside from improving vocal skills, being in
the choir gives students confidence, natural
speaking ability, a feeling of comfort in front of
an audience and teamwork skills. Even gathering the courage to audition can be a stepping
stone, as many students are often too shy to join,
according to Cordoba. If one is able to overcome
the fear and gather the strength to audition, one
may find a bright future in store with the choir.
“Not only has choir helped develop my voice,
but the people that I have met [in choir] made
my decision [to join] completely worth it,” Cordoba said. “We all get along very well and form
our own family.”

Catch the choir
performing on May
12 at Spanish River
in the Countess De
Hoernle theatre at
7:00 P.M. Tickets are
$5 at the door.
Photo courtesy of Rita DiDominic

Netflix dominates movie market with ease
By ARIEL BROWN
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Late fees for overdue movie rentals and gas
money to drive to the store are issues of the
past with Netflix’s versatility. Movie lovers are
now drawn to Blockbuster’s more convenient
replacement that is accessible from virtually
anywhere.
Netflix started out with only the option for a
mail delivery service or an Internet download
of a movie, but it has continuously expanded
its collection of viewing platforms. The availability of numerous platform options has significantly contributed to its increasing popularity.
The Netflix library is not only available by
mail, computers and television, but now the
content can also be streamed via the Internet
directly to various video game consoles, as well
as to Blu-ray players, practically every Apple
product on the market and Google TV. Currently, over 200 Netflix-capable devices are on
the market, and Netflix shows no sign of ceasing its expansion.
Senior Ricky Ostrofsky is a current Netflix
subscriber who greatly appreciates its convenience.
“I love Netflix because movies and TV shows
are always available, whether they are sent to
my house by mail or played instantly on my
computer,” Ostrofsky said. “I like it better than
Blockbuster because there’s no hassle to go
pick out a movie; I can just browse online.”
Whether directly linked with the emergence
of Netflix or not, Blockbuster experienced continuously decreasing profits and gradually lost
its audience. Conversely, Netflix has grown and

expanded exponentially over the past few years;
the company reports that it has now amassed
over 20 million members in the United States
and Canada. Netflix is now the world’s top
Internet subscription service for viewing movies and television shows.
As of September 2010, Blockbuster declared
bankruptcy of its renowned company, causing the few loyal Blockbuster patrons that
remained to join the already pronounced and
ever-expanding mass of Netflix subscribers.
In addition to its ease and convenience, the
minute monthly cost of Netflix entices many
customers as well. For a mere $7.99 per
month, Netflix users gain access to
every hour, minute and second of the
available content. This uniquely
low price is especially appealing to students who are trying to
conserve money and do not necessarily have the funds for pricey
movies.
“Netflix is great because it saves
you so much money,” junior Joe
Geller said. “The movies are cheap and you
don’t have to drive anywhere, so you don’t
have to pay for gas.”
However, not everyone subscribes to Netflix and some still remain old-fashion in their
movie viewing practices.
“It’s a convenient way to watch movies at
home, but I prefer having a hard copy
of a movie,” junior Ofir Senderey said.
“Also, Netflix doesn’t always get the
newest movies quickly. In some ways,
I’m definitely going to miss Blockbuster.”
With the ever-expanding library

and diverse platform availability of Netflix,
it seems as if it has secured a foothold in the
hearts of movie watchers nationwide. Its appeal is evident; what teenager does not want
to save money? Its ease is apparent; the maximum movement required is simply waving a Wii remote. All of these qualities have
led Netflix to usher in a new era of effortless
at-home movie and on-demand television
access.

6

By LEE GINTON ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR By ARIEL BROWN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The Galleon and diverse platform availability of Netflix, it seems as if it has secured a foothold in the hearts of movie watchers nationwide. Its ap- peal is evident; what teenager does not want to save money? Its ease is apparent; the max- imum movement required is simply wav- ing a Wii remote. All of these qualities have led Netflix to usher in a new era of effortless at-home movie and on-demand television access.